"And now sweetheart, one small moan: will you please send each copy of the Daily Mirror instead of missing one or two in between"
My Grandad Frank Timbrell served in the Coldstream Guards from 1924 to 1946 and progressed to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).
This letter is one of many items I have of my Grandad’s time as RSM in the Coldstream Guards. It is a beautiful heartfelt letter of love in terrible situation.
Here’s a photo of my grandad and another photo of him with Field Marshal Montgomery who looks very small next to Grandad.
Transcript:
Wednesday 22 Nov
Here sweetheart to the letter enclosed in the green envelope, please don't expect me to tell you where we are, or what we are doing, it just isn't done, for although this letter isn't censored, we are on our Honour not to disclose or to discuss anything to do with the military.
So having got that off my chest, I'll turn to matters more intimate.
First, darling mine let me thank Mam, David, Colin, and yourself for your very kind wishes on my birthday and also for your presents of fags, chocolate, vests and papers and please tell David I shall enjoy his fags immensely.
Well sweetheart things are very much the same here the weather has been a little better and there was a nice thick frost on the ground this morning, the first since we have been here, so it looks as if we are in for a spell of cold weather.
Well my darling [unclear] it is needless to tell you how much I have missed you since I have been out here and the children, honestly it seems ages instead of a few weeks, it is very comforting to read your letters, knowing how you love me, and waiting for my return home and Im sure you know to, darling, how I love you and just longing for the time to come when I can take you in my arms again, for no words of mine can tell you how much I really have missed you sweetheart since we said goodbye at Aldershot, a parting I think that will always remain in my memory.
As I mentioned in my last letter darling, leave is starting about the 18th December for 10 days and they are sending seven a day and I may be able to tell you very soon when to expect me on leave, oh darling how I long for that time.
You ask if I am billetted in a house of course I am darling, only the house is empty. Coff and [unclear - name] underneath the Drum Major and myself upstairs and now sweetheart, one small moan, will you please send each copy of the Daily Mirror instead of missing one or two in between Im sure you will do that for me.
Iam glad to see Colin is a lot better, sweetheart I dont suppose he will recognise me when I do come home. Also that David and yourself are keeping fine, as for myself, never felt fitter. Especially?
Well darling mine I think that is all for now. So once more I will close with well my fondest love and all my kisses to yourself and the children, and remember me to all at home, and please continue to save it all up darling, as I love and I shall need it all.
Your ever loving husband
Contributed by:Jayne Rockett
Back to list
